ProtonVPN comes from the team behind Proton Mail, and privacy is the entire premise of the company rather than an add-on feature. It’s the only provider on this site with a genuinely usable free tier, and the paid plan backs up that privacy-first reputation with an open-source codebase and Swiss jurisdiction. Here’s a full look at what you get.

ProtonVPN Overview

ProtonVPN is built and run by Proton, the Switzerland-based company best known for Proton Mail. Swiss privacy law doesn’t compel companies to log user data the way EU or US law can, and Proton has built its whole product line around that legal foundation. The network covers 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on the paid VPN Plus plan.

Pricing

Plan Length Price
Free Ongoing $0
VPN Plus 2-year plan $2.99/mo
VPN Plus 1-year plan $3.99/mo
VPN Plus Monthly $9.99/mo

Renewal pricing is typically higher than the introductory rate — check current promotional pricing before buying.

Key Features

  • Free tier: unlimited data, no ads, no logs — but limited to servers in a handful of countries and slower speeds than the paid plan
  • Server network: 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on VPN Plus
  • Secure Core: routes traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before it exits to the open internet — an extra layer most competitors don’t offer
  • Open source: apps for every platform are open-source and independently verifiable, not just claimed
  • Security: AES-256 encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection
  • Device support: up to 10 devices on VPN Plus
  • Money-back guarantee: 30 days on paid plans

Good for Privacy-First Users

If independently verifiable privacy matters more to you than having the single fastest server in every country, ProtonVPN’s open-source apps and Secure Core architecture make it one of the more transparent options in this category — and the free tier means you can actually test the no-logs claim yourself before paying anything.

Speed and Performance

ProtonVPN isn’t usually the fastest provider in independent speed tests, particularly on the free tier, which is deliberately rate-limited to keep it sustainable at no cost. VPN Plus is meaningfully faster than the free tier and adequate for HD streaming, though providers built specifically around speed, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, tend to edge it out in raw benchmarks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Only provider on this site with a genuinely usable free tier (unlimited data, no logs)
  • Fully open-source apps across every platform
  • Secure Core architecture adds an extra layer most competitors don’t offer
  • Swiss jurisdiction, outside EU/US data-retention requirements
  • Independently audited no-logs policy

Cons:

  • Free tier is limited to a handful of server countries and blocks P2P traffic
  • Not the fastest option in independent speed testing

The Verdict

ProtonVPN is the pick on this site if independently verifiable privacy is your top priority, or if you want to genuinely try a no-logs VPN without paying anything first. It’s not the fastest provider here, so if raw speed for streaming is what matters most, NordVPN or ExpressVPN will likely serve you better.

Visit ProtonVPN

Setting Up ProtonVPN

Create a free account (no payment details required for the free tier), download the app for your device, and connect to a server. The free tier limits you to a handful of available countries, while VPN Plus subscribers can pick from the full 140+ country list or use Quick Connect to find the fastest available option automatically.

Privacy Policy and Jurisdiction

ProtonVPN operates under Swiss privacy law, which doesn’t require the kind of data retention that EU- and US-based providers can be compelled into. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited by the security firm Securitum, with the report published openly rather than only summarized.

Who ProtonVPN Isn’t For

If you want the fastest possible connection for streaming or heavy downloading, providers built specifically around speed — NordVPN or ExpressVPN — are a better fit. The free tier is genuinely useful but comes with real limits: fewer server locations, slower speeds, and no P2P support, so treat it as a way to test the service rather than a permanent substitute for a paid plan if you use a VPN regularly.

Device and Platform Support

ProtonVPN offers dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus router-level setup. Up to 10 devices can connect simultaneously on VPN Plus, while the free tier allows only a single device connection at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ProtonVPN’s free tier actually free, or is it a trial?
It’s genuinely free with no time limit and unlimited data — not a trial. It’s limited to a handful of server countries and slower speeds compared to VPN Plus, but there’s no payment information required and no expiration.

Does ProtonVPN keep logs?
ProtonVPN has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited by the security firm Securitum.

How many devices can I use with one ProtonVPN account?
Up to 10 devices simultaneously on VPN Plus. The free tier supports one device connection at a time.

Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes, paid VPN Plus plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The free tier doesn’t require payment at all, so there’s nothing to refund.

Does ProtonVPN have a kill switch?
Yes — if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, the kill switch blocks internet traffic until the connection reconnects, so your real IP address never leaks.

What is Secure Core?
Secure Core routes your traffic through an extra hardened server in a privacy-friendly country (Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden) before it reaches the regular VPN server, adding a layer of protection against network-level attacks that target VPN servers directly.

Can I switch from the free tier to VPN Plus later?
Yes — you handle the upgrade directly in your account settings, and you don’t lose your existing account or need to sign up again from scratch.

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